Philippines, 12 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Prayers for Jonathan


PhilBoxing.com




Jonathan Peñalosa, who failed in a bid to wrest the WBA flyweight crown from Korea’s Yong Kang Kim in 1992, is fighting for his life at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod. He’s down but not out with Stage 4 colon cancer. Peñalosa, 57, underwent a colostomy to divert the stool flow through the stomach at the Paranaque Doctors Hospital then was brought to Bacolod to be close to family while recovering to gain strength for chemotherapy.

Peñalosa’s two brothers Dodie Boy and Gerry became two-time world champions. Dodie Boy, 62, reigned as IBF lightflyweight and flyweight titlist while Gerry, 52, ruled the WBC superflyweight and WBO bantamweight divisions. Another brother Carl, Jr. or Erbing is a well-known boxing trainer. Their late father Carl, Sr. was a Philippine lightweight and superlightweight champion.

Gerry, who flew from Manila to Bacolod yesterday to visit his ailing brother, said at the moment, no chemotherapy is scheduled. “Mahina pa ang kaniyang katawan,” said Gerry who added that the cancer had spread so doctors deferred removing the tumor in the colon and instead, did a colostomy. “He was diagnosed last month, it happened so fast.”

Peñalosa’s oldest daughter Jhona said her father asked to be brought to Bacolod, near San Carlos City where his family stays. “Gusto niya umuwi ng San Carlos at walang maka-alaga sa kaniya sa Manila,” she said. Jhona said the plan is to administer chemotherapy in Bacolod when he regains his strength.

Peñalosa retired from boxing in 1993 and turned to training. Two world champions whom he worked with were Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire. Pacquiao recently visited him in the hospital, taking time off from the senatorial campaign trail to show support for the former WBC International flyweight king (top photo).

Peñalosa made his pro debut in 1985 and was undefeated in his first 16 bouts before losing to Kim in Incheon. He was ahead in one of three scorecards when Kim scored two knockdowns in the sixth round, prompting referee Ernesto Magana to stop it at the 2:46 mark. Peñalosa was never the same after the setback and lost his next three outings, one to future WBC flyweight beltholder Chatchai Sasakul whom Pacquiao later dethroned, to close out his career.

Peñalosa and wife Marites are blessed with four children----Jhona, 38, Jonathan, 36, Jan, 34 and Kris, 32 and five grandchildren----John, 18, Myles, 16, Kent, 13, Lance, 11 and Heart, nine months old. Two of his children work on-line and two others are unemployed. The family is appealing for prayers and financial assistance. “Your generosity will go a long way in helping our father receive the treatment and care he urgently needs,” said Jhona. “And just as important, we ask for your continued prayers----for strength, healing and hope during this incredibly difficult time.” Donations may be sent to GCash 09668321327 and BDO 003080233918.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda Press Conference Quotes
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • Steven Butler to face Edgar Berlanga on July 26 at the Infosys Theater of the Madison Square Garden in New York
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • Nimal Farmer scores signature win over Michael Anderson at Prudential Center
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • H2O EAGER TO MAKE STATEMENT AGAINST FORMER WORLD CHAMPION JOJO DIAZ IN HOMETOWN HEADLINER JUNE 19
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 JUNE 2026: Ramirez SD Lerrone; Baumstarh SD Bustillos; Vazquez, Mindoro Win in Texas; Yabuki, Moloney, Casimero and Angeletti Win in Japan
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Spurs Take Game 3, Beat Knicks in New York 115-111
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Casimero still rocking
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Mascarinas faces tough competition in 66th San Carlos Charter Day
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Raymond Muratalla Defends IBF Lightweight World Title Against Former Champion Robson Conceicao in Explosive Co-Main Event to Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda
    , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • IBA represented at the United Nations World Cup Diplomacy Summit in New York
    , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Historic Costa Rican former champ Bryan Vasquez is arrested
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Bruce Wren Tatad of Tanza, Cavite rules National Age Group Chess Championship ; vying Singapore chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Suslenkov to face Joyce in a thrilling showdown at IBA PRO 19 in Moscow
    , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Dalton Smith receives inaugural WBC Ricky Hatton Legacy Belt in front of thousands in Mancheste
    , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Stacey King three time NBA Champion with Chicago Bulls passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.